I'm interested in M60ti ,VP150, QS8s but I'm concerned if the soundstage and midrange of the M60 will match up to my JBL 4312 Sudio Control Monitors, their soundstage is excellent no matter where I'm at in the house, or outside in the backyard. But it's time for new center and surrounds and I'd like to stay in the same family, not to mention upgrading to shielded mains. I have;
Sony STR-D3ES receiver
Klipsch RW-10 sub
Klipsch R3II center channel that I screwed up because of playing music to loud in surround mode!!
Panasonic DVD- to be upgraded
Yamaha CD player- to be upgraded

I'm not familiar with your JBLs. I have the Axiom speaker combo you're looking at, though. The M60s throw a wide and tall soundstage in my family room - very open and airy. Midrange is excellent. My M60s absolutely destroy my Monitor Audio Bronze 2s in every way (granted $800 towers vs. $400 bookshelves ).

If you only need a center and surrounds maybe get those first, see how they match up with your JBLs. If they blend well enough - good deal. If not, order the M60s and you'll still get the 5% package discount.

I dont know if you understand what soundstage is, because if your getting it in your backyard then those must be some kind of magical speakers lol. I believe the Axioms will be better than the jbl in every aspect. Although im guessing that you will be dissapointed with their bass output after owning the jbls

I've demo'd my system for people numerous times and without fail, everytime I do, they walk up to the VP150 and QS8's to check and see if they're on - and that's when I'm playing back a 2 channel audio cd! Now that's an impressive soundstage!

What BigWill said. Also, I bought the VP100 because of space limitations. A discussion with Alan Loft provided the information that the M60s add a "false front" capability for the soundstage. It is full and wonderful. Have you checked under the "Questions and Comments" section of the board to see if there is anyone near you who could provide an audition for you? (it's a sticky at the top of the forum).

If you want a sense of what the M60s sound like, try and audition the B&W 703s. A few folks here, including myself, think they are a virtual match to the M60s. Unfortunately, the are 3x the price!

I guess that backyard statement was a little in center field, I just got through replacing a 100' of wood fence this past weekend, so I put my right speaker on a stool in the window and cranked up the volume. Fence is straight, killed a case of beer and jammed the whole time!!
My understanding of soundstage is sound emanates from spots other than the speakers position. My speakers are set about 8' apart in a corner section and that creates a sweetspot in the whole room.
I can be in my kitchen which is 25-28' from my main speakers and they're no different than if I'm sitting on my couch 10' away. I think it's time to pull the triger, black or cherry?? Decisions...thanks for the feedback. Oh I do have a place in New Orleans that has the B&K 703s, I'll go back for a listen.

Actually I wanted the M80s, but Allan told me I would have to sell my Sony and get something that could drive the M80s.
I might just suck it up and get a nice 5 channel AMP and pre-amp out my Sony, my Klipsch sub has it's own 200 continous watts.
If I'm spending $800 dollars, $300 more is nothing at that point. Still putting the puzzle together!

So, I took some time yesterday and went to Myer-Emco to check out the B&W 703s. Holy Sh*T, did they sound great. I brought in a cd of my own to play. It sounded better than I had ever heard it before. Having only listened to crappy systems my entire life, I never really understood what "soundstage" was. Well, it was amazing to hear the instruments panned in the left and right speakers, but the vocals locked dead center. I had to ask the guy at the store if a center channel was on. Not only was I hearing soudn from a place where there were no speakers, I couldn't really place where the sound was coming from the speakers - the speakers seemed to not be there.

If the M60s are anything like this, I'm gonna cream my shorts when I get them.

On a side note - I compared the 703s to a 600 series floorstander. The 703 was far superior, with better highs and a more clear sound reproduction. Then, I asked the guy to turn on some Boston Acoustic floorstanders. It sounded like the vocals were being processed (like they were being run through a filter). Really crappy comparatively.

I'm even more excited now then before. (still waiting to get my speakers) I also asked the guy how much a 5.1 system woudl be for the B&W 700 series. I got a quote of around 5K!!!! I couldn't believe it - and was very happy to have found the Axioms....